Game Of Thrones: Ranking All Episodes From Worst To Best

20. Garden Of Bones (Season 2 Episode 4)

It was hard to decide whether this episode or The Old Gods and the New should take the #20 spot, and eventually this episode took it for how much it advances the plot forward while also managing to set up several plots down the line in an interesting way. The opening scene is one of the best of the season, as Lannister guardsmen hear noises in the woods and are suddenly surprised by Robb Stark and his army. Shortly after this, Robb meets his future wife Talisa, foreshadowing their eventual deaths at the Red Wedding. In Storm's End, someone finally confronts Littlefinger over his role in Ned's death, and the fact that it gets to be Catelyn, Littlefinger's only love, makes it even sweeter. Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys and her party FINALLY do something and arrive at the city of Qarth, where they are almost left out in the desert to die until an epic speech convinces one of the leaders to let her into the city. In King's Landing, Joffrey continues to be a grade-A douche, ordering Sansa Stark beaten in the courtroom and then sadistically telling prostitute Ros to beat up her co-worker for no reason at all. Also, Arya's kill list makes its first appearance. This is probably the time when Arya went from a cool character to one of the best on the show, as she first shows signs of the wish to kill those who have wronged her.

19. First Of His Name (Season 4 Episode 5)

For the first time in nearly 3 full seasons, we don't have an utter dick on the Iron Throne! All hail King Tommen (and Ser Pounce)! Not much happens in King's Landing during this episode besides for Tommen's crowning and Tywin's reveal that the Lannisters are extremely indebted to the Iron Bank of Braavos. In other parts of Westeros, Sansa and Littlefinger arrive at the Eyrie, where Lady Lysa is just as crazy (if not more so) as when we last saw her 3 seasons ago. On the road, Arya and the Hound discuss her kill list and after the revelation that he is on it, he challenges her to kill him. When she tries it, her tiny sword can't get through his armour, and she pays for it with a slap. Sucks for her, but good for us - the Hound was simply too hilarious in this scene to suddenly be offed with Needle. The real highlight of the episode, and the reason it is as high as it is, is the battle to retake Craster's Keep, an event that's not in the book and is put in to make sure Jon's story didn't stagnate for a full season. The battle is well done and Bran's inclusion makes it even better, as he wargs into Hodor and kills their would-be captor. Jon also gives head mutineer Karl Tanner one of the most brutal deaths on Game of Thrones, as he feeds his sword to him from behind and gives the audience a 'holy sh*t!' moment of the highest order.

18. Mockingbird (Season 4 Episode 7)

Oh, Littlefinger. As much of a smug bastard as you can be at times, you do have your moments, and pushing Sansa's aunt and your wife out of the Moon Door, thus saving Sansa's life, certainly ranks as one of them. His little monologue there is pretty cool, and Lysa's shocked face the moment before he pushes her really makes the scene even better. The reason this episode is so high, however, has as much to do with Tyrion as it does with Littlefinger. Tyrion Lannister is a desperate dwarf - after awesomely declaring that he wants a trial by combat, he can't actually find anyone to fight for him. Jaime turns him down since he doesn't have a sword hand, and Bronn has no wish to go up against the Mountain when he can marry a highborn lady instead. But when Oberyn Martell pays Tyrion a visit, he relays the story of how Tyrion was just a normal baby and not some monster like everyone thinks he is. Then, he says, "I will be your champion," and Peter Dinklage's relieved gasp should build even more evidence as to why he needs another Emmy.

17. A Golden Crown (Season 1 Episode 6)

Anyone else remember Viserys Targaryen? It's a shame that a character who seemed to be a big part of the proceedings (he was the heir to the Iron Throne, after all) is remembered only for his death scene, if at all. But what a death scene it is! After Viserys threatens to kill Daenerys in the capital city of the Dothraki, where it forbidden to spill blood, Khal Drogo pours molten gold over Viserys' head, giving him his "crown for a king". Daenerys' cold reaction of "He was no dragon... fire cannot kill a dragon" is the perfect capper to the scene and also foreshadowing for her big season finale moment. Another epic scene is Tyrion's trial by combat, and this one goes far better for him then his latest one. Bronn outmaneuvers the Eyrie's champion and eventually kicks him out the Moon Door, winning Tyrion his freedom. When told that he didn't fight honorably, Bronn shrugs and points after his opponent, saying, "He did." It's a cool introduction to someone who would go on to be a favourite supporting character, and it helps earn this episode its place at #17.

16. Second Sons (Season 3 Episode 8)

There's so much to love about this episode- Sansa and Tyrion's extremely awkward wedding, Cersei telling Margaery the story of the song "The Rains of Castamere" (foreshadowing, foreshadowing, foreshadowing), and Sam killing a White Walker are among the highlights. So many weddings! From this episode to the second of Season 4, in total 5 episodes, there are 3 weddings, and this is the only one that turns out "well" (meaning, no deaths). The wedding feast is an affair to remember, as Tyrion actually gets away with telling Joffrey that he is going to cut his, um, privates off. We also get to see how Tyrion is going to be protective of Sansa and try to make her life a little bit better, further cementing him the audience's hearts. On Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon carries out a weird ritual in which he burns leeches that have recently sucked Gendry's blood (Gendry is King Robert's bastard son, so he has "king's blood"). As he does this, he says the names of Robb Stark, Joffrey Baratheon, and Balon Greyjoy, two of which are now dead. Sam Tarly killing a White Walker in defence of Gilly is a cool moment and helps show how being around her makes him braver. It also makes viewers happy knowing Sam has moved on from being just the simple coward he was at the beginning of the show. For these reasons, Second Sons triumphantly lands at #16.